repositioning question

February 20, 2003

Hi, my name is and my son is Isaac and 4 and 1/2 months

old. We're new to the group. Our pediatrician said Isaac might

benefit from a band, so we're waiting for the referral to be approved

so we can go see a neurosurgeon. Anyways, while I'm waiting I've

decided to try repositioning. It seems he has a mild case according

to my pediatrician. If you didn't know what to look for...one ear

larger, one cheek larger, forward pushed out a bit...you can't tell

by looking at him that his head is lopsided. It took the doctor

awhile to decide whether he thought it was enough to give him a

referral. Anyways, my question is that he has always looked to the

right, maybe he was positioned that way in my womb. We finally got

that fixed by doing a lot of stretching exercises with him adn he

does have full range of motion, but he has a definite preference

still to look to the right..when awake and sleeping. Well, I'm

tryign to get him to face left when he sleeps since he sleeps so many

hours and he has really resisted. I have tried putting rolled towels

under that side, but he'll just wiggle around until he can turn his

head to the right. I've tried propping him so he's on his side but

even then he'll lay with his head as far right as possible which

can't be comfortable. I was just wondering if anyone else has had

these problems and if you could offer some suggestions.

Thanks,

Agoura Hills, California

February 20, 2003

,

> While we were repoing we tried several different sleep

> positioners from babies r us until we found one that

> worked for us.

We did just buy one sleep positioner and like I said, though he's on

his side, he still turns his head as far right as possible. I feel

like I need to pin him down some way, but that doesn't seem safe. Did

your child really fight sleeping in a new position?

> Has Isaac been evaluated for torticollis? It sounds

> like he may have that - you said you were doing

> stretches but I am just wondering since he still

> prefers one side. Does he tilt to one shoulder at

> all?

Not officially. Our old pediatrician just told us that we needed to

do neck stretches since when he was really little he wouldn't even

turn his head to the left wthout crying. When he's sitting up and

looking around he turns his head both ways, but if he's just resting

it almost always goes to the right. What do you mean about him

tilting one shoulder? When would he do that? He does normally lean

to one side or the other but we didn't think anything of it. I

haven't noticed if it's always to the same side. Would my

pediatrician be the one to talk with about evaluating him for

torticollis or if our referral is approved for the neurosurgeon,

could he evaluate him for that as well as his head?

> Anywhoooo-welcome to the group! I am glad your ped is

> on the ball about this stuff! That is sometimes a

> rarity these days. Many of us have had to face this

> ourselves or get new peds or so on.

>

> mom to Vivian star grad

>

Agoura Hills, Ca

February 20, 2003

I'm glad to hear that your ped is so on top of things. Some

members of this group had to push and push and push just to

get the ped to recognize the problem let alone do something

about it!

Have you checked out www.plagiocepahly.org/support? There is

some good info about repositioning that might be helpful. Also,

in the " links " section of this page you might find some helpful

information and/or links to pages that sell repo products. At 4 1/2

months you are catching the problem really early. Be sure to

double check about the tort if Isaac is still favoring one side -

better safe then sorry when it comes to tort!

Best wishes and keep us posted.

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

> Hi, my name is and my son is Isaac and 4 and 1/2

months

> old. We're new to the group. Our pediatrician said Isaac might

> benefit from a band, so we're waiting for the referral to be

approved

> so we can go see a neurosurgeon. Anyways, while I'm waiting

I've

> decided to try repositioning. It seems he has a mild case

according

> to my pediatrician. If you didn't know what to look for...one ear

> larger, one cheek larger, forward pushed out a bit...you can't tell

> by looking at him that his head is lopsided. It took the doctor

> awhile to decide whether he thought it was enough to give him

a

> referral. Anyways, my question is that he has always looked to

the

> right, maybe he was positioned that way in my womb. We

finally got

> that fixed by doing a lot of stretching exercises with him adn he

> does have full range of motion, but he has a definite

preference

> still to look to the right..when awake and sleeping. Well, I'm

> tryign to get him to face left when he sleeps since he sleeps so

many

> hours and he has really resisted. I have tried putting rolled

towels

> under that side, but he'll just wiggle around until he can turn

his

> head to the right. I've tried propping him so he's on his side

but

> even then he'll lay with his head as far right as possible which

> can't be comfortable. I was just wondering if anyone else has

had

> these problems and if you could offer some suggestions.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Agoura Hills, California

February 20, 2003

Hi

I am new to this group too! My son is 9 mos old and is now wearing a

corrective helmet. We tried all of the repositioning things out

there and to no avail.....still flatness. also favoured

looking over to the right. He wasn't diagnosed with having tort but

he does have a muscle in his neck that is tight. We do physio

therapy with him at home and it is working. Keep perservering with

your doctor because that is all that seems to work! If you don't

have an appt with the neuro soon; call them and keep calling until

you get an appt. Once there ask them to see someone or at least make

an appt for a helmet/band. If the sutures aren't fused than you have

your name in their appt book.......if they are fused then you can

always cancel the appt if needed. We were very insisting and finally

got results. has only been wearing his helmet for a week so

no definate results yet but we are on our way.

Welcome to the group!

Donna ('s Mom) Ontario, Canada

February 20, 2003

Hi ,

Welcome to the group. Check out these links, I'm sure at least one of

them will be able to help you.

http://www.geocities.com/alittleone2000/plagiopage.htm

http://www.cappskids.org/CAPPSRepositioning.htm

http://www.plagiocephaly.org/support/repotech.htm

Good luck and please keep us posted.

> Hi, my name is and my son is Isaac and 4 and 1/2 months

> old. We're new to the group. Our pediatrician said Isaac might

> benefit from a band, so we're waiting for the referral to be

approved

> so we can go see a neurosurgeon. Anyways, while I'm waiting I've

> decided to try repositioning. It seems he has a mild case

according

> to my pediatrician. If you didn't know what to look for...one ear

> larger, one cheek larger, forward pushed out a bit...you can't tell

> by looking at him that his head is lopsided. It took the doctor

> awhile to decide whether he thought it was enough to give him a

> referral. Anyways, my question is that he has always looked to the

> right, maybe he was positioned that way in my womb. We finally got

> that fixed by doing a lot of stretching exercises with him adn he

> does have full range of motion, but he has a definite preference

> still to look to the right..when awake and sleeping. Well, I'm

> tryign to get him to face left when he sleeps since he sleeps so

many

> hours and he has really resisted. I have tried putting rolled

towels

> under that side, but he'll just wiggle around until he can turn his

> head to the right. I've tried propping him so he's on his side but

> even then he'll lay with his head as far right as possible which

> can't be comfortable. I was just wondering if anyone else has had

> these problems and if you could offer some suggestions.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Agoura Hills, California

February 20, 2003

Hi & welcome to our group!

I see you've already rec'd several great replies, and I'd simply like

to 2nd everything you've already been told!

Please keep us posted on little Isaac. Good luck!

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

MI

>

> > Hi, my name is and my son is Isaac and 4 and 1/2

> months

> > old. We're new to the group. Our pediatrician said Isaac might

> > benefit from a band, so we're waiting for the referral to be

> approved

> > so we can go see a neurosurgeon. Anyways, while I'm waiting

> I've

> > decided to try repositioning. It seems he has a mild case

> according

> > to my pediatrician. If you didn't know what to look for...one

ear

> > larger, one cheek larger, forward pushed out a bit...you can't

tell

> > by looking at him that his head is lopsided. It took the doctor

> > awhile to decide whether he thought it was enough to give him

> a

> > referral. Anyways, my question is that he has always looked to

> the

> > right, maybe he was positioned that way in my womb. We

> finally got

> > that fixed by doing a lot of stretching exercises with him adn he

> > does have full range of motion, but he has a definite

> preference

> > still to look to the right..when awake and sleeping. Well, I'm

> > tryign to get him to face left when he sleeps since he sleeps so

> many

> > hours and he has really resisted. I have tried putting rolled

> towels

> > under that side, but he'll just wiggle around until he can turn

> his

> > head to the right. I've tried propping him so he's on his side

> but

> > even then he'll lay with his head as far right as possible which

> > can't be comfortable. I was just wondering if anyone else has

> had

> > these problems and if you could offer some suggestions.

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Agoura Hills, California

February 20, 2003

,

I'm brand new to this group, too. I swear, I could have written your

e-mail--it's exactly what our story is. Our five-month-old daughter

has borderline plagio and definitely prefers her right to her left.

We reposition her dozens of times a day (and night), which has

helped, as have the stretches, and we are having her fitted for a

helmet next week. Like most people who are (or whose kids are)

diagnosed with oddball illnesses, I never heard of plagiocephaly

until we noticed she preferred the right side and mentioned it to our

pediatrician. Luckily, we live near a major medical university, so we

have access to a tremendous number of resources. Nevertheless, it's

good to know that there are others out there who have had the same

experiences.

Good luck with your little boy!

All the best,

Concord (this is a street name, in case anyone wonders )

> > > Hi, my name is and my son is Isaac and 4 and 1/2

> > months

> > > old. We're new to the group. Our pediatrician said Isaac might

> > > benefit from a band, so we're waiting for the referral to be

> > approved

>

February 20, 2003

HI,

Welcome to the group! Are you going to continue to reposition or are

you going to band? How is the repositioning going? Are you seeing

nice correction?

> > > > Hi, my name is and my son is Isaac and 4 and 1/2

> > > months

> > > > old. We're new to the group. Our pediatrician said Isaac

might

> > > > benefit from a band, so we're waiting for the referral to be

> > > approved

> >

February 20, 2003

As someone who has tried 3 months of unsuccessful repositioning

therapy (unsuccessful for the Plagio, successful for the Tort), and

is now considering a DOC Band (and dealing with the insurance

company) just thought I would share some specific advice I found

helpful when in your position.

Repositioning is a good thing to try. It can address some of the

undelying causes of the Plagio (Tort). It may even address the

Plagio. Regardless, some insurance companies require trying

repositioning before covering a band. So even if you want to try a

band, it may be a good idea to start on repositioning therapy ASAP.

1. Gather as much documentation as possible on your child's head

shape before and durring repositioning therapy. This can include

pictures / video, head measurements, etc. Cranial Technologies used

calipers to provide several measurements showing specific asymetry

issues.

- This can be of great help both to you and your doctor in

determining whether repositioning is working. Relying on memory is

consideraly less effective. My wife and I have had several

conversations along the line of " Gee honey, I think it's getting

better " ... " What!?! It's obviously getting worse! " .

- The specific measurements gives you more of an indication of level

of asymetry (other then just minor/moderate/severe).

- Insurance coverage is sometimes dependent on the asymetry

measurements (for example, see the following coverage guidelines:

http://medpolicy.bluecrossca.com/policies/durable/external_molding.htm

).

2. Gather as much documentation as possible on repositioning therapy

that you try. This can include pictures / video (of repositioning

exercises, stretching exercises, props and devices used, rearanged

areas (crib), tummy time, etc.)

doctor's instructions, physical therapist instructions, detailed

records of time / duration of any exercises, etc. If you are

referred to a physical therapist, make the appointment.

- This can be helpful when later meeting with your doctor / physical

therapist and determining whether proper repositioning therapy was

used.

- This can be of tremendous help when dealing with insurance. My

insurance company is currently requesting " documentation that

alternative treatment including therapy and repositioning has failed "

before covering a band.

3. Attempt to get a pre-authorization from your insurance company

for a band as soon as possible.

- This will quickly make you very knowledgeable in what your

insurance company provides for. As the pre-authorization process can

be lengthy, starting it early can be beneficial.

4. Attempt to find your insurance company's coverage guidelines for

your child's specific symptoms. This may prove difficult to

obtain ... be persistant with your insurance company.

- This allows you to be prepared for what your insurance coverage

may / may not provide, and what their guidelines are (they may want

you to try repositioning therapy for a specific time before a band is

approved, or they may not cover a band at all). For example, compare

the following guidelines:

http://medpolicy.bluecrossca.com/policies/durable/external_molding.htm

http://www.bcbst.com/MPManual/Cranial_Orthosis_for_the_Treatment_of_Pl

agiocephaly.htm

Take care, and best wishes.

dt_dc

February 20, 2003

I've only been doing the repositioning for a week now, so I haven't

noticed a change yet. I'm still waiting for a referral to see a

doctor so I don't know what we're going to do as far as if we're

going to do a band. I don't really know how severe it is. Does it

get worse in time or once you start repositioning do you basically

catch it adn keep it at bay? I try to keep Isaac on his tummy a lot

during the day becuase I read that was impt..but I don't really

udnerstand why. Is it good becaue it keeps pressure off his head or

becuase it helps his neck muscles which helps something related to

his skull or something? I also heard that once he starts rolling

that will be helpful to round out his head. he currently has little

interest in rolling which makes trying to reposition him at night a

little easier. Is it more important to keep him on his tummy or to

try to apply pressure to the opposite side of his head with

repositioning while he's awake? I keep experimenting with different

positions trying to get one that makes his head fall to the left. I

have read the web sites suggested on this group and foudn a lot of

helpful info. It's just a matter of getting his shoulder positioned

just right that his head will fall to the left is what I'm getting

out of it.

CA

> > > > > Hi, my name is and my son is Isaac and 4 and 1/2

> > > > months

> > > > > old. We're new to the group. Our pediatrician said Isaac

> might

> > > > > benefit from a band, so we're waiting for the referral to

be

> > > > approved

> > >

February 21, 2003

Hi ,

Your story sounds EXACTLY like our story. My daughter

preferred looking to her left. She was such a good sleeper that she

was diagnosed with severe plagiocephaly at 4.5 months and was

prescribed a band. We really didn't have any luck with repositioning

because of her tort. In the beginning the doctors didn't officially

diagnose her as having tort because she did have the full range of

motion, but through physical therapy it was evident that she did in

fact have tort. I tried everything I could to reposition. The

neurologist who prescribed 's band was concerned enough about

the time left before actually receiving the band that he advised us

to actually pin 's clothing to the crib sheet. I tried that but

became so upset that I couldn't go through with it. The only

thing that ultimately helped us was finally getting her band. Since

received her band at such a young age and also had major growth

spurts she only wore it for 2.5 months. She is now 11 months and

still continues to round. I'm sure some of the other parents here

will have repositioning ideas for you. Sorry I couldn't be of more

help. Your story just reminded me so much of us I had to respond.

& (11 months, STARband Grad)

Aliso Viejo, CA